Junell sentences former official in drug case

Midland Reporter-Telegram

Published 12:57 pm, Friday, January 16, 2015

U.S. District Judge Robert A. Junell on Friday sentenced 50-year-old Joe Anthony Kay, a former Denver City councilman, to five years in federal prison for his role in a Midland-based heroin and methamphetamine distribution ring, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas.

In addition to the prison term, Junell ordered that Kay be placed under supervised release for a period of five years after completing his prison term.

Kay was arrested Aug. 31 based on a federal grand jury indictment that charged him with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Kay pleaded guilty on Sept. 16, thereby admitting that from June 2010 to April 2014 he conspired with others to distribute narcotics in the Midland, Odessa, and Denver City areas, according to the press release.

Kay conspired to distribute 20 kilograms of cocaine, 2 kilograms of heroin, 1 kilogram of methamphetamine, and 100 pounds of marijuana, according to court records.

Kay is the last of seven defendants to be convicted and sentenced for their roles in this drug trafficking scheme.

Junell on Thursday sentenced drug supplier Luis Jose Tarango Terrazas, 51, of Fabens, to 70 months in prison. Last month, he sentenced Michael Alexander Lozano, 42, of Denver City, and William Ray Warren, 46, of Midland to 10 years in prison; Cameron Edward Gee, 30, of Midland, to 71 months in prison; Quentin Zachery Bailey, 31, of Odessa, to 46 months in prison; and, Merin James McCulle, 24, of Seagraves to two years in prison, according to the release.